You can choose to activate your replacement iPhone from scratch or from a preexisting backup of your old iPhone. Using a backup will allow you to transfer all your apps and data over to the new iPhone. Restoring a backup takes place either over WiFi (assuming your backup is on iCloud) or with a physical connection to your computer through iTunes. The process in all cases is relatively simple, but there are lots of setting choices you may want to prepare for in advance!

Steps

Method1

Activating Your iPhone from Scratch

1

Ensure your iPhone is fully charged and plugged in before you begin. Overall, the setup may take several minutes and can exhaust a lot of your iPhone's battery power. You will have to start over if your device dies during this process.

2

Put the appropriate SIM card in the phone if necessary. Different carriers may or may not use SIM cards, or the SIM card may already be installed on the phone. There are three sizes of SIM cards used by various iPhone models, including MicroSIM, MiniSIM, and NanoSIM. If your newer phone needs a different size SIM card, you’ll have to get an adapter, break it into a smaller card if your card has perforations, or get a new SIM card from your carrier. If you're new iPhone didn't come with a SIM card you, might be able to use your old one.

Take a paper clip or an object similar in dimensions.

Locate the small hole on the right side of your device and insert your object into the hole, then press down.

Your old SIM card should pop out, when it does, take your object i.e. paper clip and repeat the process with your new phone.[1]

3

Turn the phone on. Setup Assistant will ask you your preferred language and the country you live in.[2]

4

Choose a WiFi network to connect to. IPhone 4S requires a cellular connection, not WiFi, but instructions are the same.

NOTE: If you have no connection you can skip to the next section and activate using iTunes.

5

Choose whether to enable location services.

6

Choose to setup as a new iPhone.

7

Sign in with an existing Apple account or create a new one. You will have to accept the terms and conditions of agreement by tapping “Agree” twice to move forward.

Not every step during this process is mandatory aside from the agreement. Remember, you may always return later to change your preferences when it comes to the majority of Apple's features, after this preliminary setup is over.

iCloud virtually stores the information from both your iPhone or Mac. It's handy if you have an overflow of data on your iPhone's hard drive.[4]

Find My iPhone is an app already installed on a lot of Apple devices. Turning this feature on ensures easy retrieval if you misplace or lose your iPhone.

9

Setup Touch ID. Touch ID is an alternative method to unlocking your iPhone available on the iPhone 5S and later.[5] Set it up by pressing down on the Home Button using your index finger or thumb and following the prompts. For security purposes, this just adds another layer of protection. It should be noted that your biometrical data gets saved onto your iPhone's chip, not Apple's main server.

If you want to use your passcode instead, select 'Setup Touch ID Later' and press Continue.

Create your four to six digit password.

10

Select the option to use Siri, your iPhone's voice-activated assistant.

You can always return to Settings later and disable Siri along with any of the other preferences you select during setup.

11

Decide if you'd like your device to periodically run diagnostic tests to Apple.

12

Select your display preference. If you have difficulty seeing, the Zoom display option is probably best for you.

13

Tap to "Get Started". Your iPhone is now activated! The iPhone should now begin its rebooting process. Once complete, it will take you to the Home Screen.[6]

Method2

Using WiFi to Restore From an iPhone Backup

1

Connect the device to a Wi-Fi network. Restoring from a backup requires that you first backup your old phone - a process that can be done either wirelessly or through iTunes.

If you have iOS 7 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.

3

Make sure iCloud Backup is turned on. This can by done by flipping the switch to green.

4

Select "Back Up Now". Make sure you stay connected throughout this process.

To ensure that the Backup worked, you can go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage, then chose your device.

If you're having any difficulties, please go here for assistance: [1].[7]

5

Ensure your replacement iPhone is fully charged and plugged in before you begin. Overall, the setup may take several minutes and can exhaust a lot of your iPhone's battery power. You will have to start over if your device dies during this process.

6

Put the appropriate SIM card in the phone if necessary. Different carriers may or may not use SIM cards, or the SIM card may already be installed on the phone. There are three sizes of SIM cards used by various iPhone models, including MicroSIM, MiniSIM, and NanoSIM. If your newer phone needs a different size SIM card, you’ll have to get an adapter, break it into a smaller card if your card has perforations, or get a new SIM card from your carrier. If you're new iPhone didn't come with a SIM card you, might be able to use your old one.

Take a paper clip or an object similar in dimensions.

Locate the small hole on the right side of your device and insert your object into the hole, then press down.

Your old SIM card should pop out, when it does, take your object i.e. paper clip and repeat the process with your new phone.[8]

7

Turn the phone on. Setup Assistant will ask you your preferred language and the country you live in.[9]

8

Choose a WiFi network to connect to. iPhone 4S requires a cellular connection, not WiFi, but instructions are the same.

9

Choose whether to enable location services.

10

Choose to restore from an iPhone backup.

11

Sign in with an existing Apple account or create a new one. You will have to accept the terms and conditions of agreement by tapping “Agree” twice to move forward.

12

Allow the restore to complete. This should effectively create a duplicate of your old iPhone on your replacement iPhone including all your apps and data.

Method3

Using iTunes to Restore From an iPhone Backup

1

Make sure your iPhone is fully charged.

2

Install the most recent version of iTunes on your computer. iTunes is handy if your iPhone isn't connected to a WiFi network or you just want to expedite the process. You'll have to download iTunes if you have a PC however Mac's already come with iTunes installed.[10]

3

Begin by selecting a language on your device.

4

Tap "Connect to iTunes". You can choose "Use Cellular Connection" if you don't see "Connect to iTunes'.

Tapping this allows your to activate your iPhone using a cellular connection instead of iTunes.

5

Plug your iPhone USB charger into your computer. Then connect your iPhone to the charger. At this point, iTunes will begin automatically but if it doesn't, you can manually launch it from your desktop by clicking on "Restore" under the "Summary" tab .

6

Choose whether to enable location services and choose “Restore from iTunes Backup.” It's advised you restore the phone in order to retain old data from the old device.

7

Click "Get Started" once you receive the "Welcome" message, then select "Sync". Your device and the computer will sync information and cellular activation will be applied.

8

Disconnect the iPhone. Your iPhone should be activated once removed.[11]